Trick-or-treating, haunted houses banned in Los Angeles due to COVID-19

Halloween is going virtual for Los Angeles residents

Kids out trick-or-treating for Halloween. (Pexels)

LOS ANGELES – The coronavirus pandemic has canceled a lot of events in 2020 and now officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health have banned trick-or-treating in 2020 due to concerns over COVID-19.

A press release from the city’s health department includes guidelines for Halloween’s most beloved past time and says trick-or-treating is banned because “it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors especially in neighborhoods that are popular with trick or treaters.”

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Trunk-or-treating, where little ghouls and goblins go from car to car instead of house to house, is also banned.

Gatherings and parties with non-household members are not permitted and all haunted house attractions, carnivals, festivals and live entertainment for Los Angeles are banned.

So what are city officials allowing?

  • Online parties and contests
  • Car parades that comply with public health guidelines
  • Decorating your home, yard with Halloween decorations
  • Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters
  • Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants
  • Halloween-themed art installations at outdoor museums

San Antonio city officials have yet not released any information about guidelines for trick-or-treating amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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